Cheesecake Topping Ideas

Written by zora hughes| 13/05/2017

Some places offer their cheesecake with more than one topping. (Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images)

Few people can turn down an offer for a slice of creamy, decadent cheesecake. Whether you love plain original cheesecake or a complicated chocolate and peanut butter creation, nearly all are served with some type of topping. Fruit toppings are common, particularly on plain cheesecake, but whipped topping and other more creative toppings are often available as well. If you make your own cheesecake at home, choose a topping that you know you or your guests will enjoy.

Fruit

Restaurant chefs and home bakers alike serve cheesecake with a fruit-preserve topping. A common preserved fruit topping for plain cheesecake is cherries, particularly on unbaked cheesecake varieties. Other topping options include strawberry, blueberry and raspberry. Jars of these fruits may be labelled "fruit topping" rather than "preserves" at the grocery store. Upscale restaurants often present fresh berries on top or on the side of the cheesecake. You can also use canned fruit pie fillings on top of your pie.

Chocoloate

Most cheesecakes containing chocolate will have a chocolate topping in one form or the other, such as chocolate shavings or a drizzle of melted chocolate. You may also see chocolate-covered nuts used as a topping on a chocolate cheesecake with nuts in it. If the cheesecake contains chocolatechocolate bar pieces, crumbled pieces of the same chocolate bar may be sprinkled on top or a chocolate bar chunk might be sitting on top of whipped cream. Even if your cheesecake doesn't have chocolate in it, you can still add it on top if you wish.

Whipped Toppings

At restaurants cheesecake is typically served with at least a dollop of whipped topping alongside the other toppings. Use the canned whipped cream or the whipped topping in a tub, whichever you prefer. Some restaurants also serve their cheesecake with flavoured whipped toppings such as chocolate whipped cream or strawberry whipped cream. You may be able to find flavoured whipped cream at your local grocery store.

Cooked Toppings

Although not as common, a warm cooked topping on top of your cheesecake adds a new flavour dimension. Serve warm caramelised apples drizzled over a chilled cheesecake for a comfort food indulgence. For a warm nut topping, sauté pecans in butter, double cream and brown sugar. Other warm cooked toppings include lemon curd topping or a cranberry-maple glaze. You can also take any of the canned fruit filling and warm them up in the microwave before adding it on top of the cheesecake.